Extended Partnership for Smart Eyewear
Just days before the Connect 2024 event, Meta and EssilorLuxottica, the makers behind Ray-Ban Stories AR glasses, have announced an extended partnership that will last into the 2030s. This collaboration aims to develop ‘multi-generational smart eyewear products’ as the current versions of Ray-Ban Stories see significant sales success in various global markets, including the US, UK, and several European countries.
Meta Acquires Stake in EssilorLuxottica
Meta’s interest in AR smart glasses led them to acquire a 5 per cent stake in EssilorLuxottica. This acquisition, worth potentially $4.73 billion, demonstrates Meta’s commitment to this technology. This milestone was praised by EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri, emphasizing the importance of the collaborative efforts so far.
Zuckerberg’s Vision for AR Glasses
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, highlighted his excitement about the long-term roadmap for AR smart glasses, stating the potential to transform glasses into a major technology platform. Earlier this year, Zuckerberg noted the unexpected high demand for the Ray-Ban Meta product, which had sold out in most styles.
Future Plans and Developments
Zuckerberg elaborated at the SIGGRAPH conference that Meta is tackling AR glasses development from two directions: creating the ideal holographic AR technology and making the glasses as aesthetically pleasing as everyday eyewear. Reports suggest that Meta will reveal details about their upcoming AR smart glasses, codenamed Orion, at Connect 2024.
Upcoming Announcements at Connect 2024
Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth confirmed during a recent Q&A session that their AR announcement at Connect 2024 would be groundbreaking and significantly impact the future of VR and MR over the next few years. Bosworth also mentioned Meta’s decision to discontinue its Spark AR SDK to focus on more advanced smart glasses technology.
Strategic Shifts and Market Potential
As part of their strategic shift, Meta posted a job listing for a Business Development Manager at Reality Labs, emphasizing support for their global AR product launches. Despite the controversial decision to discontinue Spark, this move aligns with Meta’s broader AR ambitions.
Market forecasts are optimistic about the potential future growth of AR smart glasses, indicating a shift that could see AR glasses overtaking VR headsets in enterprise applications. The industry’s forward momentum offers promising new opportunities leveraging AI, biometrics, and sustainability trends.
Source: https://www.xrtoday.com/augmented-reality/meta-enters-multi-generational-ar-smart-glasses-contract-ahead-of-connect-24/
This article is experimental and made by Knoxlabs AI.
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